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Here’s the English-language translation of the controversial commercial.

In a nation that encourages citizen participation in elections, a new group has produced TV commercials telling Latino voters to stay home on Election Day.

The Spanish-language ads, entitled “No Votes” (“Don’t Vote”), are sponsored by a Virginia-based group that calls itself “Latinos for Reform.”

Published reports indicate that the ads are the work of Robert de Posada, a Republican political consultant, former Republican National Committee director of Hispanic affairs and pundit on the Spanish language TV network Univision.

The ad focuses on President Obama’s promise to pass comprehensive immigration reform and argues that Democrats have given Latinos nada, “nothing — not even a vote in Congress.”

“They have no excuses,” declares the ad. “Clearly, the Democratic leadership betrayed us.”

The hard-hitting conclusion: “Democratic leaders must pay for their broken promises and betrayals….Don’t vote this November. This is the only way to send them a clear message: You can no longer take us for granted. Don’t vote.”

Houston Chronicle photo

Linda Chavez-Thompson

Mi Familia Vota Executive Director Ben Monterroso, whose organization is dedicating to turning out Latino voters this year in Texas, Arizona and Colorado, decried the effort to reduce Hispanic turnout.

“We condemn the behavior of anyone who tries to suppress the Latino vote,” he said. “Our vote equals our voice, and anyone who tries to tell us otherwise is not looking out for the best interests of the Latino community — or our democracy.”

Linda Chavez-Thompson, the Democratic nominee for Texas lieutenant governor, said both parties should try to maximize voter involvement rather than discouraging groups from participating.

“It’s a sad day for democracy when a political party encourages people to stay home and not vote,” she said. “Latinos have worked hard for generations to build a better Texas. We have fought and died for our country, we have earned the right to vote and now, by telling fellow Latinos to stay home on Election Day, the Republicans make it clear that they don’t want our voices to be heard…

“Shame on them.”

Low Hispanic turnout could prove politically deadly to several endangered Democrats, including California’s Boxer and Nevada’s Reid. It also could ensure the defeat of Democrats in four competitive gubernatorial races: Bill White in Texas, Alex Sink in Florida, Jerry Brown in California and Pat Quinn in Illinois.

Democrats in the past have complained about Republican efforts to suppress minority votes. But this is a rare case where GOP intentions have been so open.

These ads targeted Latinos in Nevada, where Reid is locked in a tight race against Republican Sharron Angle. Pro-immigration groups immediately respond with fury.

“This is overt voter suppression, and it’s ugly,” said Frank Sharry, executive director of America’s Voice, a pro-immigration reform group. “It’s precisely because of Sharron Angle’s nasty attack ads on immigration and this latest voter suppression tactic that Latino voters in Nevada should vote. They comprise 12 [ercemt of the Nevada electorate, and a large turnout could prove to be fatal for Angle.”

Late today, Univision announced it wouldn’t run the ad and distanced itself from de Posada.

“Univision will not be running any spots from Latinos for Reform related to voting,” the network said in a statement released through a spokesman. “It is also important to clarify that while Mr. Robert de Posada has on occasion provided political commentary on Univision, representing one of various points of views, he is not in any way affiliated with Univision. Univision prides itself on promoting civic engagement and our extensive national campaigns encourage Hispanics to vote.”

Mi Familia Vota’s Monterroso praised the Univision action.

“We commend Univision and Entravision Communication Corporation for their longstanding effort to encourage civic participation,” he said. “The decision not to run the ad shows their true commitment to the Latino community and to full participation in the civic life of our country.”

Check out the ad:

En Español

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Rick Dunham of the Houston Chronicle is a leading expert on journalists' use of social media and niche web sites. He created Texas on the Potomac in 2007. He also is the president of the National Press Club Journalism Institute, the educational and charitable arm of the world's leading professional organization for journalists.

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